Plant supplement and method for increasing plant productivity and quality

ABSTRACT

A soil and foliar supplement for application to plants to improve plant growth and quality. A method for increasing plant productivity and quality also is disclosed. The supplement includes a quantity of specific microbes and an organic acid, such as humic acid, fulvic acid, and ulvic acid. Trace minerals also can be added. A humectant also can be incorporated with the microbes, organic acid, and trace minerals to provide a matrix to provide an improved moisture and nutrient environment and a greatly increased surface area and cation exchange ability for optimizing microbe growth. Chelated micronutrients may also be added to the supplement or added later to the foliage to improve the effects of the supplement still further. Methods of improving plant productivity and quality by treating the plant with the microbes, organic acids and a naturally balanced formulation of chelated minerals are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to supplements to be applied to soil or plantfoliage to increase plant productivity and quality in agricultural,horticultural, forestry and other applications involving living plants.In particular, the invention relates to a supplement to be applied tosoil or plant foliage, the supplement containing specific microorganismformulations with organic acids.

An increasingly serious worldwide problem is the depletion of organicmatter, or humus, in the soil used for growing plants. This has resultedin some soils having restricted aeration and reduced water-holdingcapacity. In turn, the number of beneficial microorganisms, i.e.,bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi which are primarily responsible forthe conversion of macronutrients, micronutrients, and organic materialsin the soil into more soluble forms that a plant can utilize, aregreatly reduced. The reduction in numbers of microorganisms and organicmatter also creates a negative shift in the cation exchange capacity ofa soil which results in a further decrease in the nutrient storagecapability of the soil which decreases the amount of available nutrientsto both the plants and the microorganisms. The microbial and nutrientimbalance places chemical and pathogenic stress on the plants and makesthem more susceptible to disease and pests.

The problem is being exacerbated by modern society's increased use ofmarginally suitable soils for growing plants. These soils are much moresensitive to microbial and chemical imbalances and are depleted at muchfaster rates.

Initially, growers attempted to solve these problems by increasing theamount of available nutrients in the soil by increasing the amounts offertilizer and water used on the depleted soils. More and morefungicides and pesticides became necessary to protect the "stressed"plants from disease and pests, thereby further damaging the microfloraof the soil. Under these conditions, the use of pesticides andfungicides only accelerated the decrease of the natural microorganismsnecessary to healthy plant life.

Of course, microorganisms have been employed in soil treatments as farback as the last century. See, e.g., Bacteria In Relation To CountryLife; J. Lipman; Macmillan Co.; New York, 1912; and The Micro-OrganismsOf The Soil; Sir E. John Russell; Longmano, Green & Co.; London, 1923.However, this use consisted for the most part of one or two specificmicroorganisms or a "grab bag" mixture of soil cultures that were notspecifically identified or quantified. Some were nothing more thancomposted manures carrying groups of microorganisms typically found insuch waste. The beneficial activity of such unquantified mixtures on thesoil resulted in increased crop yields. More recently, there have beenmore sophisticated microbial formulations and specific characteristicsof individual formulations documented. See, e.g., Bilogical Control OfPlant Pathogens; K. Baker, S. Cook, W. H. Freeman & Co.; San Francisco,1974; Beneficial Bacteria Enhance Plant Growth; T. Suslow, J. Kloepper,M. Schroth, T. Burr, U. California Dir. Agri. Su. Reports, CaliforniaAgriculture; Nov./Dec., 1979; Vol. 33, No. 11 & 12; and MicrobialInteractions In Soils And Healthy Plant Growth; A. M. Smith, AustralianPlants, Vol. 9 (73), pps. 209-212, Dec. 1977.

However, actual use of specific groups of organisms on plants met withvarying degrees of success depending on other non-controlled variables.Such variables include (1) the presence or absence of adequate micro andmacro nutrients in the soil to support the propagation of themicroorganisms; (2) the amount of organic material able to holdnutrients and microbes to create a suitable environment for microbialgrowth; and (3) the presence or absence of certain minerals required bythe plant for proper uptake of the nutrients provided by the microbialacitivity.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved supplementto soil or foliage, providing a complete balanced microbial, nutrientand physical/chemical environment for increasing plant productivity andquality.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodfor increasing specific microbial activity and levels in soil or foliageand for increasing the beneficial effects of that activity to plants'productivity and quality.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following descriptions of its embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a supple;:ent for application to soilor foliage and a method to improve plant productivity and quality. Thesupplement includes a quantity of microbes or microorganisms with humic,fulvic and ulvic acid. Trace minerals required by the plant, but whichmay be lacking or out of balance in the natural soil, may also be addedas well as a humectant and chelated micronutrients. The microorganisms,i.e. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, are capable of a broad range ofbeneficial activities. The number and types of microorganisms may bevaried to meet individual soil conditions.

The humic, fulvic, and ulvic acids are organic acids which have theability to stimulate native soil microorganisms and thus significantlyraise organic content levels. The organic acids contribute to increasingavailability of the less readily available minerals to the plants' rootsystem. The chelated trace minerals add to this contribution.

A humectant may be used in combination with the microbes, organic acidand trace minerals to provide a matrix for improved moisture, oxygentransfer and nutrient and cation exchange environment for microbepropagation. The humectant also cause release of the nutrients, organicacids and microorganisms' by-products slowly over a long period of time,thereby increasing the effectiveness of the supplement. As a result ofthis slow, prolonged release, fertilizer and water requirements of thesoil will be significantly reduced.

Chelated micronutrients also may be added to the supplement for directuse by the plant. The combined use of specific microorganisms, theliquid organic acid, trace minerals, and the humectant with thesemicronutrients improves the solubility and long term availability of themicronutrients across the leaf surface.

The method for increasing plant productivity and improving plant qualityrelies on application of the above-described ingredients on soil orfoliage. The microorganisms and organic acids are applied to the soildirectly, usually through an irrigation system or to plant foliagethrough foliar sprays. The trace minerals and humectant also may beapplied directly to the soil or the foliage. The micronutrients arepreferably applied to the foliage, but, of course, also may be appliedwith the other ingredients to the soil.

Use of the presently described invention allows for equal or betterresults from application of less quantities of the individual componentsapplied along. Consequently, the overall cost of using the supplement isless than the greater quantities of the individual components necessaryto obtain similar or worse results. Further, in marginal soils, thecombination of the components produces much greater results unobtainablewith any quantity of the individual components.

Specific types of plants or growing conditions require a fine-tuningacquired through leaf and petiole analysis to obtain optimal resultsfrom this supplement. Tree crops, vegetable crops, vine and berry crops,field and row crops, and crops grown in hydroponics, such as cucumber ortomato plants, require differing treatments to accomplish maximumeffectiveness. Frost freeze protection also can be obtained byapplication of the supplement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The supplement includes microorganisms and one or more organic acidswhich when present in the soil or foliage together coact to become moreeffective than when present individually. Chelated trace minerals, ahumectant and chelated micronutrients may be added to improve theeffectiveness of the supplement. Preferably, the supplement includesmicroorganisms and the organic acid(s). Alternatively, trace minerals, ahumectant and micronutrients also may be included.

The microorganisms, i.e. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, are selectedfor their specific activities, such as nitrogen fixation, nitrogenstabilization, cellulosic digestion, lipid digestion, protein digestion,and starch and carbohydrate conversion to plant and microorganismnutrients. These same bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes contributesignificantly through their metabolism and various enzyme by-products toincreasing the availability of nutrients to a plant. Typically, awell-composited manure utilized as a soil amendment will contribute anincrease of 10² or 10³ microbes per gram of soil. However, the presentformulation will raise and maintain a soil's microbial level by 10⁶ to10⁹ microbes per gram of dry soil. The use of certain microorganisms atthese higher microbial count levels greatly improves the plantperformance and, at the same time, provides much more positive pathogensuppression. These microbes are produced by well known standardmicrobial fermentation techniques.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes fourteen species ofmicrobes in the following numbers per gram of the microbes in an inertcarrier. The inert carrier is preferably a diatomaceous earth but,alternatively is any inert or non-inert carrier or filter-aid known inthe art. The following list identifies the preferred fourteen speciesand relative numbers per gram of carrier.

    ______________________________________                                                            Concentration:                                            Microbe             Number/Gram Carrier                                       ______________________________________                                        Bacillus thuringiensis                                                                            1.00   billion/gm.                                        Bacillus subtillis  1.00   billion/gm.                                        Arthrobacter globiformis                                                                          0.50   billion/gm.                                        Arthrobacter agilis 0.50   billion/gm.                                        Nocardia opaca      0.50   billion/gm.                                        Nocardia corallina  0.50   billion/gm.                                        Pseudomonas denitrificans                                                                         1.00   billion/gm.                                        Pseudomonas fluorescens                                                                           0.50   billion/gm.                                        Pacteroides succinogenes                                                                          1.75   billion/gm.                                        Bacteroides lipolyticum                                                                           1.75   billion/gm.                                        Kurthia zopfil      0.1    billion/gm.                                        Brevibacterium lipolyticum                                                                        0.1    billion/gm.                                        Aspergillus terreus 0.1    billion/gm.                                        Rhizopus arrhizus   0.1    billion/gm.                                        ______________________________________                                    

This formulation is presently commercially available from MaterialScience Company of Santa Barbara, California, under the trade nameBio-Con CRC-400.

Additional microbes can be added to or substituted for the above-listenmicroorganisms. Such microbes include the following:

    ______________________________________                                                         Concentration: Number/                                       Microbe          Gram Carrier                                                 ______________________________________                                        Arthrobacter Citreus                                                                           0.5 billion/gm.                                              Arthrobacter Luteus                                                                            0.5 billion/gm.                                              Arthrobacter simplex                                                                           0.5 billion/gm.                                              Bacillus brenis  0.5 billion/gm.                                              Bacillus macerans                                                                              0.5 billion/gm.                                              Bacillus pumilus 0.2 billion/gm.                                              Bacillus polymyxa                                                                              0.2 billion/gm.                                              Pseudomonas putida                                                                             0.5 billion/gm.                                              Streptomycus cellulasae                                                                        0.1 billion/gm.                                              Streptomycus fradiae                                                                           0.1 billion/gm.                                              Streptomucus griseoflavus                                                                      0.1 billion/gm.                                              Acinetobacter lwoffii                                                                          0.5 billion/gm.                                              ______________________________________                                    

Further microorganisms can be added to meet specific soil conditions.For example, additional nitrogen fixation through biological fixation ofatmospheric nitrogen is accomplished by addition of:

    ______________________________________                                                         Concentration: Number/                                       Microbe          Gram Carrier                                                 ______________________________________                                        Azotobacter chroococcum                                                                        0.20 billion/gm.                                             Azotobacter paspali                                                                            0.20 billion/gm.                                             ______________________________________                                    

Additional microbes that accomplish nitrogen fixation may be added orsubstituted for those listed above. Such additional microbes include:

    ______________________________________                                                        Concentration: Number/                                        Microbe         Gram Carrier                                                  ______________________________________                                        Azosprillum brasilenese                                                                       0.2 billion/gm.                                               Azosprillum lipoferum                                                                         0.2 billion/gm.                                               ______________________________________                                    

This product is commercially sold as Bio-Con CRC-400N by BC Industries,Inc.

Three fungal cultures can be added to the microbial segment of thesupplement to accomplish increased cellulose digestion and lignin enzymeproduction. This is especially useful in areas where a high percentageof plant residue is present in the soil. These fungi help to rapidlybreak down such plant material and liberate food and energy for plantuse. These fungi are presumably used in the following concentrations inaddition to the standard fourteen microbes.

    ______________________________________                                                           Concentration: Number/                                     Fungus             Gram Carrier                                               ______________________________________                                        Myrothecium verrucaria                                                                           0.20 billion/gm.                                           Trichoderma viride 0.20 billion/gm.                                           Phanerochaete chrysosporium                                                                      0.10 billion/gm.                                           ______________________________________                                    

Still other microorganisms can be added to the basic fourteen speciesfor use in a hydroponic environment. These microbes would be added tothe original fourteen microbes with somewhat "shifted" concentrations.These additional microbes are:

Pseudomonas halestorga

Pseudomonas calcis

Pseudomonas gelatica

Pseudomonas marinoglutionosa

Pseudomonas nigriaciens

Brevibacterium stationis

These highly complex microorganism formulations establish themselvesvery rapidly in the soil. The selection of the special multi-componentsincluded in these microbial mixtures are such that a potent, compatible,and highly active bioculture results that is capable of bringing aboutaccelerated growth rates and increased yields in selected crops. Variousnative and supplemental rhizoshere microorganisms also affect the growthof plants by the formation of biologically active substances in theregion of plant roots. The multiple chemical reactions that areinitiated in the soil are extremely complex. This complexity ensures thebeneficial reactions being maintained for sufficient periods of time toproduce the desired acceleration in growth rates in a very wide varietyof soils and growth environments through the combined use of thesedescribed combinations of the supplemental materials.

The organic acid, chelated trace mineral component of the supplement isa natural chelated liquid extraction from fossilized leonarditedeposits. The deposits were formed by the decomposition of plant andanimal residues by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Chemically,these materials consist of varying amounts of humic, fulvic, ulvic acidsand trace elements or minerals. This component has been found to containa mixture of humic acid, fulvic acid and ulvic acid in range of aboutthree percent (3%) to twenty percent (20%) plus naturally chelatedminerals (except Fe, Zn and Mn which are chelated with EDTA). Theminerals in these deposits listed below are found in varyingpercentages. Preferably, these are naturally occuring blends of theseminerals. The invention contemplates, however, that one or more of theseminerals adds significantly to the effectiveness of the supplement.

Element

Calcium

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Potassium

Iron

Manganese

Zinc

Cadmium

Copper

Aluminum

Silicon

Molybdenum

Boron

Sodium

Cobalt

Sulfur

Barium

Titanium

This formulation has been employed alone to constitute beneficial humicacid and trace minerals to a soil for improving crop growth rate andproductivity. Such a product is commercially available from MaterialScience Co. of Santa Barbara, Calif. under the trade name Huma-Blend B.Stimulation of native soil microorganisms does occur using theseproducts. The natural chelating effect inherent in these productscontributes to an increased availability of the less readily availableminerals to a root system. It supplies a source of naturally balancedtrace minerals or micronutrients necessary for healthy plant growth.Improved soil aeration and permeability are two further physicalbenefits obtained.

The minerals contemplated to be utilized in the supplement are vital tothe functioning of a plant. The chelated characteristic of the mineralsincreases plant efficiency of mineral uptake by plants. While soils maycontain some or even all of the minerals included in the supplement,availability of quantities of these minerals in the proper relativeamounts acts to increase plant vitality. The chelated minerals includedin the supplement guarantee that the soil contains sufficient amount andproper balance of the minerals.

A humectant can be included in the supplement to improve performance.The humectant is a potassium salt derivative of starch-polyacrylategraft polymers which can be derived from corn starch. There are severalsynthetic humectant products available, but they do not have all of thebeneficial effects of the "natural" humectant products when employedwith the microorganisms. Therefore, the preferred embodiment of theinvention utilizes "natural" humectant.

The humectant, whether used in a soil form or in foliar form, has highwater and nutrient absorption and retention characteristics. It also hasa high surface area and excellent oxygen transfer qualities. It furthercontributes to the cation exchange efficiency of a soil. Theseparameters make it an excellent microbial matrix into which are insertedthe microbial organic acid and trace minerals for application to soil orfoliage. Further, the chelating effects of the trace minerals areenhanced and the plants are protected from ultrviolet light when thehumectant is applied to foliage. The humectant also can be used in adiluted form as a carrier for the microorganisms, acid and traceminerals in a foliar spray and is a highly efficient, rapid nutritionaltransporter of nutrition to a plant through the leaf structure.

The acids and trace minerals combined in the supplement with themicroorganisms listed above and a humectant create an optimum naturalorganic humus possessing all of the required microbial, physical andchemical parameters required to bring about a highly productive soil,even in a very marginal soil environment. The humectant has an extremelyhigh surface area having a most efficient oxygen transfer ability andvarying degrees of water retention up to 1,000 times its weight. Thisprovides the microbial constituents of the formulation with a matrixthat allows for far greater propagation than would occur even in a soilpossessing high organic levels. The ability of this humectant portion ofthe formulation not only to hold large amounts of water and nutrientsbut to establish a "slow release" effect ensures long-term highpropagation of the microbial components of both the inoculatedformulations, as well as native microflora. It has been determined thatat least a fifty percent (50%) increase in microbial performance isobtained utilizing this humectant feature in both soil and foliarformulations.

Although the trace minerals included with the organic acids provide anexcellent natural trace mineral cross-section, there are specificenvironmental conditions that require additional micronutrientadditives. This can be very efficiently managed through the foliarapplication of specific, chelated trace minerals as needed, based uponleaf or petiole analysis. The enhanced levels of these specificmicronutrients can contribute to increased crop productivity andimproved quality, as well as reduced susceptibility to plant disease andpest investation.

A further component of micronutrients can be included in the supplementto accomplish improved foliar feeding. It has been determined that thecombined use of specific microorganisms and the liquid organicacid/trace minerals in a liquid suspension containing the humectantproduct improves the solubility and availability of these micronutrientsthrough a leaf surface. The humectant portion of the formulation alsoensures long term microbial activity on a leaf surface by maintaining ahigh moisture matrix on the leaf surface. As in the soil, the matrixprovides the ideal moisture and nutrient environment for optimizing themicrobes' performance. An overall reduction in both the required amountof micro/macronutrients and the frequency of application is consequentlyobtained with the supplement. The micronutrients of this invention maybe any micronutrients known in the art.

The amount of micro and macronutrients employed in the supplement canvary depending on the need, based on leaf or petiole analysis.Preferably, a range of about 5-50 parts per million is used.Alternatively, any amount will be beneficial.

The combination of microbes and micronutrients ultimately producesenzymes including Lipase, Cellulase, Anylase, Proteases, Cytase andothers. The invention contemplates that inferior results may be obtainedby subsituting certain enzymes for the microbes, combining the enzymeswith the humic/fulvic/ulvic acid. This alternative is, however,considered within the scope of the invention. Further alternatives mayinclude the humectant and trace minerals with the enzymes.

Synergistic benefits are gained from adding together the components ofthis supplement. When specific amounts of humic, fulvic and ulvic acidscombined with trace minerals (chelated) are included along with themicrobial inoculation, an increase in the plant/crop productivity isnoted which amounts to some twenty-five percent (25%) furtherimprovement in plant/crop performance. Typically, crop yields forvegetables, vine and berry crops have been observed to increase in thetwenty-five percent (25%) to fifty percent (50%) range. The economics ofthis type of soil supplement are further improved by the fact that theoverall quality of the fruit is also greatly enhanced. This takes theform of improved storage quality, less crop fragility, better flavor,significantly improved flavor, frost and drought resistant, and perhapsmost important, improved nutritional quality. All of these benefits areusually accomplished with reductions of fertilizers in the twenty-fivepercent (25%) to fifty percent (50%) range for most crops

The invention preferably includes the specific microbes and humic,fulvic and/or ulvic acids with trace minerals to produce the unexpectedresult that a great reduction of the individual components is necessaryto accomplish the combination of individual results. The table belowindicates the positive results obtained through use of the specificmicrobes alone, and with organic acids along as compared with theresults obtained from the combination, with a dramatic decrease inamounts of individual components used.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                Growth Rate                                                Amount  Nitrogen Reduction                                                                       Response                                                                              Crop Yield                                         (Acre Per                                                                             (Percentage Decrease                                                                     (Increase Over                                                                        Increases                                          Crop Cycle)                                                                           of Needed Fertilizer)                                                                    Control)                                                                              (Over Control)                            __________________________________________________________________________    Generally                                                                     Microbes 180-240 grams                                                                         15-25%     10-20%  10-25%                                    Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           64-128 grams                                                                         15-25%     10-20%  10-25%                                    Ulvic Acid                                                                    (Plus trace                                                                   minerals)                                                                     Microbes and                                                                           Microbes                                                                              25-50%     25-40%  25-75%                                    Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           60-120 grams                                                        Ulvic Acid                                                                             Acid:                                                                (Plus trace                                                                            24-64 grams                                                          minerals)                                                                     Field Crops                                                                   Microbes 180-240 grams              25-35%                                    Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           64-128 grams              15-20%                                    Ulvic Acid                                                                    (Plus trace                                                                   minerals)                                                                     Microbes and                                                                           Microbes                   45-50%                                    Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           60-120 grams                                                        Ulvic Acid                                                                             Acid:                                                                (Plus trace                                                                            32-64 grams                                                          minerals)                                                                     Orchard Crops                                                                 Microbes 180-240 grams              35-55%                                    Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           64-128 grams              20-25%                                    Ulvic                                                                         Acid (Plus trace                                                              minerals)                                                                     Microbes and                                                                           Microbes                    65-100%                                  Humic/Fulvic/                                                                           60-120 grams                                                        Ulvic Acid                                                                             Acid:                                                                (Plus trace                                                                            32-64 grams                                                          minerals)                                                                     __________________________________________________________________________

Inclusion of the humectant to the specific microbes and organic acidsreduces the amount of necessary components (microbes and acid) by anadditional 5-15%. This result is independent of the quality of the soilbeing treated.

Further, the supplement has advantageous buffering characteristics inboth acidic and alkaline soils. For example, soils in the 8.0-8.5 pHrange are reduced to 7.0-7.3 pH range, while soils in the 5.0-5.5 pHrange are raised to 6.2-6.8 pH range during one (1) year of use asdirected below.

The method of increasing productivity and improving the quality ofplants utilizes applying the supplement to the plants.

The microorganisms and humic/fulvic/ulvic acid are applied to the plantsthrough the soil by application to the soil, by irrigation, or to thefoliage by foliar spray dusting, or, in the use of hydroponics, to thefoliage or ambient water.

The humectant also may be applied with the microorganisms and acid byfoliar spray, by incorporation into irrigation water, or by dusting.

The micronutrients are specifically used for foliar feeding and areapplied with the various other components only as a foliar spray.

Extensive research has revealed specific applications of the supplementand the method disclosed above. Five examples of applications follow.These examples have been found to produce optimum results for thespecific applications described in the great majority of soilconditions. The invention contemplates that minor variations of thestated quantities and applications may be used in response to measurablesoil and plant characteristics. The invention further contemplatesapplication in per acre per crop rates which includes singleapplications once during a cycle of the entire amount or manyapplications during a cycle of lesser amounts.

EXAMPLE I Tree Crops (including avocado plants)

1. Transplanting Nursery Stock.

(a) Use as a soil treatment:

    ______________________________________                                                           Amount per                                                 Component          Acre Per Crop Cycle                                        ______________________________________                                        Humectant          1-2 oz. per tree                                           Microorganisms     (5-10 g.) - per 378 l.                                     Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                        (60-120 ml.) or 100 gal.                                   ______________________________________                                    

Procedure: Disperse the soil humectant evenly in the backfill soil.Replace treated soil below and around root bundle. Water in withapproximately 1 gal. or 4 l. of the microorganisms and humic acid/tracemineral mixture.

(b) Use for maintenance:

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre Per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      30 g. (1/2 oz.)                                           Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         180-360 ml. (6-12 oz.)                                    ______________________________________                                    

2. Use on Trees (2-4 years old).

    ______________________________________                                                           Amount per                                                 Component          Acre Per Crop Cycle                                        ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms     60 g. (2 oz.)                                              Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                        360-720 ml. (12-24 oz.)                                    ______________________________________                                    

3. Use On Mature Trees

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre Per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      60-120 g. (2-4 oz.)                                       Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         1 to 1-1/2 l. (32-48 oz.)                                 ______________________________________                                    

The maintenance dosage rate is best applied on a multiple addition basisof 6-12 times per year in available irrigation system.

4. Foliar Spray (based upon 100 l. (25 gal.) solution).

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      5-10 g.                                                   Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         120-240 ml. (4-8 oz.)                                     Humectant           50-100 g.                                                 Micronutrients      As required by leaf                                                           analysis                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Foliar spray is employed 1-2 times a year on avocado trees.

EXAMPLE II Vegetable Crops (Bell Peppers)

1. Use For Soil Innoculation.

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      60-120 g. (2-4 oz.)                                       Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         1-2 l.                                                    Micronutrients      As required by leaf                                                           analysis.                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Dosage rates: 1/2 the prescribed dosage rate just prior to or just afterplanting. Remainder of product added 2-3 weeks after first application.

2. Use As A Foliar Spray Formulation (based on 378 l. or 104 gal.

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      5-10 g.                                                   Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         120-240 ml. (4-8 oz.)                                     Humectant           50-100 g.                                                 Micronutrients      As required by leaf                                                           analysis.                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE III Vine and Berry Crops (Strawberry)

1. Use for Soil Inoculation.

    ______________________________________                                                              Amount per Acre                                         Component             Per Crop Cycle                                          ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms        60-120 g.                                               Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                           1-2 l.                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Procedure: 1/2 the prescribed dosage is inoculated into the soil. Theremainder of the materials are added in 3-6 weeks after initialapplication in available irrigation system.

2. Use For Foliar Spray Application.

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per Acre                                           Component           Per Crop Cycle                                            ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      15-30 g.                                                  Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         120-240 ml. (4-8 oz.)                                     Micronutrients      1-2 times over crop                                                           growth cycle.                                             ______________________________________                                    

Soil humectant dosage rates will be based upon the physical propertiesof the soil in question. Dosage rates will range from 25-75 pounds peracre. The soil humectant can be applied dry, employing a seed spreader,followed by discing, or it may be applied in a gel form with drillingequipment. The product should be set at 6-8 inches deep in the soil.

EXAMPLE IV Field and Row Crops (Rye Grass)

1. Use For Soil inoculation

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per Acre                                           Component           per Crop Cycle                                            ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      30-45 g.                                                  Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         120-180 ml. (4-6 oz.)                                     ______________________________________                                    

The microorganisms and humic acid may be blended together and theninjected or entered into any available irrigation system. A singleapplication is employed for this type of application.

2. Use For Foliar Spray Formulation.

    ______________________________________                                                            Amount per                                                Component           Acre per Crop Cycle                                       ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      5-10 g.                                                   Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         90-120 ml. (3-4 oz.)                                      Humectant           50-100 g.                                                 Micronutrients      Water each cut.                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE V Hydroponics (Cucumber/Tomato)

1. Use For Initial Media Inoculation.

    ______________________________________                                                            Amounts per 264.sup.3                                     Component           or 1,000 gal.                                             ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms      5-10 g.                                                   Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                         90-120 ml. (3-4 oz.)                                      Humectant           250-500 g. (1/2-1#)                                       ______________________________________                                    

2. Use For Crop Maintenance (additions to total water).

    ______________________________________                                                             Amounts per 264.sup.3                                    Component            or 1,000 gal.                                            ______________________________________                                        Microorganisms       2-5 g.                                                   Humic acid/trace minerals                                                                          50-75 ml.                                                ______________________________________                                    

3. The foliar spray formulation is applied as required by leaf analysis.

A further surprising and unexpected result of application of thedescribed invention is increased plant resistance to frost damage.Foliage and crops can withstand temperatures 4°-6° F. lower and for muchgreater exposure time at these temperatures than untreated plants andcrops. Frost/freeze burn and product drop is very noticeably decreased.This is due to several reasons:

(1.) A marked increase (50 to 100%) in the surface area and root bundlemass. This creates a very effective insulation barrier and effectivelymaintains the plants' vigor during low temperature periods.

(2.) The greatly improved chemical and mineral balance in the plant andfruit provide an "antifreeze" protection of sorts. Higher glycol proteinand carbohydrate levels along with the elevated trace mineral contentare perhaps the major chemical reasons for the thermal protectionevident.

(3.) The greatly increased numbers of beneficial bacteria, fungi, andactinomycetes in the soil, 10⁶ to 10⁹ counts/dry gram soil, will raisethe temperature in the rhizosphere. This coupled with the greater rootmass insulation barrier slows the rate of temperature drop in thesurrounding soil.

It has also been observed that the use of foliar sprays consisting alsoof specific microbial formuations, humic and fulvic acids, andhumectants does also provide significant frost/freeze protection to thefoliage and crops. This protection is mainly due to the fact that atenacious thin film of moisture containing high numbers of highly activebeneficial microbes provides microbial nucleation sites that effectivelyallows ice crystals to form. These ice crystals provide a thermalprotective barrier against temperatures lower than the freezing point ofwater.

The use of the humectant in these formulations allows a long term thinfilm application to be made to a crop. Spraying can be made days beforean expected frost and still provide excellent thermal stability to boththe foliage and crop and at the same time be establishing improvedinternal organic and inorganic chemical balance to the crop.

Those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that variousmodifications can be made to the embodiments described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it isintended that the foregoing description be taken in an illustrativesense, and that the scope of protection be defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A soil and foliage supplement to improve cropgrowth and quality comprising:a plurality of microbes species for fixingand stabilizing nitrogen, for digesting cellulosic matter, lipids andprotein, and for converting starch and carbohydrates to plant andmicroorganism nutrients; and an organic acid selected from the groupconsisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof.2. The supplement of claim 1 further comprising: a trace mineral.
 3. Thesupplement of claim 1 further comprising:at least two trace mineralsselected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, potassium,phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, copper, aluminum, silicon,barium, titanium, molybdenum, boron, sodium, sulphur, cobalt andmixtures thereof.
 4. The supplement of claims 1 or 3 wherein theplurality of microbe species are selected from the groupconsistingBacillus thuringiensis Bacillus subtillis Arthrobacterglobiformis Arthrobacter agilis Nocardia coarallina Pseudomonasdenitrificans Pseudomonas fluorescens Bacteroides succinogenesBacteroides lipolyticum Kurthis zopfil Brevibacterium lipolyticumAspergillus terreus Rhizopus arrhizus Pseudomonas fluorescensAzotobacter chroococcum Azotobacter paspali Myrothecium verrucariaTrichoderma viride Phanerochaete chrysosporium Pseudomonas halestorgaPseudomonas calcis Pseudomonas gelatic Pseudomonas marinoglutionosaPseudomonas nigriaciens Brevibacterium stationis Arthrobacter citreusArthrobacter luteus Arthrobacter simplex Azosprillum brasilieneseAzosprillum lipoferum Bacillus brenis Bacillus macerans Bacillus pumilusBacillus polymyxa Pseudomonas putida Streptomycus cellulasaeStreptomycus fradiae Streptomucus griseoflavus Acinetobacter lwoffiiandmixtures thereof.
 5. The supplement of claims 1 or 3 wherein theplurality of microbe species include:Bactillus thuringiensis Bacillussubtillis Arthrobacter globiformis Arthrobacter agilis Nocardia opacaNocardia corallina Pseudomonas denitrificans Pseudomonas fluorescensBacteroides succinogenes Bacteroides lipolyticum Kurthia zopfilBarevibacterium lipolyticum Aspergillus terreus, and Rhizopus arrhizus.6. The supplement of claim 5 wherein the plurality of microbe speciesfurther includes species selected from the group consisting ofAzotobacter chroococcum, Azotobaxter paspali, Azosprillum brasilenese,Azosprillum lipoferum, and mixtures thereof, whereby additional nitrogenfixation is accomplished.
 7. The supplement of claim 5 wherein theplurality of microbe species further includes species selected from thegroup consisting of Myrothecium verrucaria, Trichoderma viride,Phanerochaete chrysosporium and mixtures thereof, whereby the pluralityof microbe species has increased cellulosic digestion and lignin enzymeproduction capability.
 8. The supplement of claim 5 wherein theplurality of microbe species further includes Pseudomonas halestorga,Pseudomonas calcis, Pseudomonas gelatic, Pseudomonas marinoglutionosa,Pseudomonas nigriaciens, and Brevibacterium stationis, whereby theplurality of microbe species has improved performance in a hydropenicenvironment.
 9. The supplement of claims 1 or 3 wherein the plurality ofmicrobe species comprises by numbers of microbes:about ten percent (10%)Bacillus thuringiensis; about ten percent (10%) Bacillus subtillis;about five percent (5%) Arthrobacter globiformis; about five percent(5%) Arthrobacter agilis; about five percent (5%) Nocardia opaca; abovefive percent (5%) Nocardia coarallina; ten percent (10%) Pseudomonasdenitrificans; about five percent (5%) Pseudomonas fluoroescens; abouteighteen percent (18%) Bacteroides succinogenes; and about eighteenpercent (18%) Baxteroides lipolyticum.
 10. The supplement of claim 9wherein the plurality of microbe species further comprises by number ofmicrobes:about one percent (1%) Kurthia zopfil; about one percent (1%)Brevibacterium liopolyticum; about one percent (1%) Aspergillus terreus;and about one percent (1%) Rhizopus arrhizus.
 11. The supplement ofclaim 2 further comprising:a humectant for providing the plurality ofmicrobe species with a matrix to enhance propagation.
 12. The supplementof claim 11 wherein the humectant is a potassium salt of astarch/polyacrylate graft polymer.
 13. The supplement of claims 2 or 11further comprising:a chelated micronutrient to further encourage microbepropagation.
 14. A method for improving the growth of crops comprisingtreating the soil with a plurality of microbe species on a carrier andan organic acid combined with at least one trace mineral, the organicacid selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid,ulvic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 15. A method for improving the growthof crops comprising applying to the foliage a plurality of microbespecies on a carrier and an organic acid combined with at least onetrace mineral, the organic acid selected from the group consisting ofhumic acid, fulvic acid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof.
 16. A methodfor improving the growth of nursery stock comprising treating the soil,per acre per crop cycle, with about 5 to 10 grams of a plurality of themicrobe species on a carrier and about 60 to 120 milliliters of organicacid selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid,ulvic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising treating the soil with about 1 to 2 ounces of humectant pertree per crop cycle.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein at least onetrace mineral is included with the organic acid, wherein the microbesand organic acids are dispersed in 100 gallons of water, wherein thehumectant is dispersed evenly in the backfill soil, wherein root bundlesoil is replaced with treated soil and wherein the plant is watered withone gallon of the water containing the microbes, organic acid and traceminerals.
 19. A method for maintaining transplanted nursery stockcomprising treating the soil, per acre per crop cycle, with about 30grams of a plurality of microbe species on a carrier and about 180 to360 milliliters of an organic acid selected from the group consisting ofhumic acid, fulvic acid, ulvic acid, and mixtures thereof, combined withat least one trace mineral.
 20. A method for improving the growth oftree crops which are about 2 to 4 years old comprising treating thesoil, per acre per crop cycle, with about 60 grams of a plurality ofmicrobe species on a carrier and about 360 to 720 milliliters of anorganic acid selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvicacid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof, combined with at least one tracemineral.
 21. A method for improving the growth of mature tree cropscomprising treating the soil, per acre per crop cycle, with about 60 to120 grams of a plurality of microbe species on a carrier and about 1 to1.5 liters of an organic acid selected from the group consisting ofhumic acid, fulvic acid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof, combined withat least one trace mineral.
 22. A method for improving the growth oftree crops comprising applying to the foliage of the crop, per acre percrop cycle, about 5 to 10 grams of a plurality of microbes on a carrier,about 120 to 240 milliliters of an organic acid selected from the groupconsisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof,the acid combined with at least one trace mineral, and about 50 to 100grams of a humectant.
 23. The method of claim 14 wherein the soil ofvegetable crops is inoculated with, per acre per crop cycle, about 60 to120 grams of the microbe species on a carrier and about 1 to 2 liters ofthe organic acid.
 24. The method of claim 15 wherein the foliage ofvegetable crops has applied, per acre per crop cycle, about 5 to 10grams of the microbe species, on a carrier, about 120 to 240 millilitersof the organic acid and further comprising treating with about 50 to 100grams of a humectant.
 25. The method of claim 14 wherein the soil ofvine and berry crops is inoculated, per acre per crop cycle, with about60 to 120 grams of the microbe species, on a carrier and about 1 to 2 ofthe organic acid.
 26. The method of claim 15 wherein the foliage of vineand berry crops has applied to it, per acre per crop cycle, about 15 to30 grams of the microbe species on a carrier and about 120 to 240milliliters of the organic acid.
 27. The method of claim 14 wherein thesoil of field and row crops are inoculated, per acre per crop cycle,with about 30 to 45 grams of the microbe species on a carrier and about120 to 180 milliliters of the organic acid.
 28. The method of claim 15wherein the foliage of field and row crops has applied to it, per acreper crop cycle, about 5 to 10 grams of the microbe species on a carrierand about 90 to 120 milliliters of the organic acid, and furthertreating the foliage, per acre per crop cycle, with about 50 to 100grams of a humectant and with micronutrients.
 29. The method of claim 14wherein the media of a hydroponic tank is initially inoculated, per1,000 gallons, with about 5 to 10 grams of the microbe species on acarrier and about 90-120 milliliters of the organic acid, and furtherthe media being inoculated with about 250 to 500 grams of a humectant.30. The method of claim 14 wherein the media of a hydroponic tank isinoculated per 1,000 gallons, with about 2 to 5 grams of the microbes onthe carrier and about 50 to 75 milliliters of the organic acid.
 31. Amethod of improving frost/freeze protection to plants comprisingspraying onto at least a portion of the plant, the mixture comprising:aplurality of microbe species for fixing and stabilizing nitrogen, fordigesting cellulosic matter, lipids and protein, and fox convertingstarch and carbohydrates to plant and microorganism nutrients; and anorganic acid selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvicacid, ulvic acid and mixtures thereof.
 32. The method of claim 31wherein an humectant is added to the mixture for spraying onto the plantportions to provide and enhance thermal stability thereto.